The First Playboy Magazine, December 1953 The First Playboy Magazine The First Playboy Magazine The First Edition of Playboy Featured Marilyn Monroe Portrait of American publisher Hugh Hefner sitting in front of a wall collage of female centerfolds from his men's magazine "Playboy" which he launched in 1953. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images) By Jennifer Rosenberg Updated September 16, 2016. In December 1953, 27-year-old Hugh Hefner published the very first Playboy magazine. This first edition of Playboy was 44-pages long and had no date on its cover because Hefner wasn't sure there would be a second edition. In that first run, Hefner sold 54,175 copies of Playboy magazine at 50 cents each. The first edition sold so well because Marilyn Monroe was the "Sweetheart of the Month" (which was thereafter termed "playmate"). On the front cover of the first edition of Playboy, Marilyn Monroe appeared waving her hand. Inside, Marilyn Monroe bared it all in the centerfold.

(Monroe did not pose nude specifically for Playboy; Hefner had purchased the picture from a local printer who made calendars.) This first edition of the magazine is also the only Playboy that does not have Hugh Hefner's name inside. On the first page, Hefner humorously wrote, "We want to make it clear from the very start, we aren't a 'family magazine.' If you're somebody's sister, wife or mother-in-law and picked us up by mistake, please pass us along to the man in your life and get back to your Ladies Home Companion." What The First Issue Of Playboy Looked Like | The Huffington Post What The First Issue Of Playboy Looked Like 08/23/2013 08:22 am ET 140 The cover of the first issue of Playboy magazine was decidedly more demure than its more modern incarnations. In December 1953, Hugh Hefner launched the lad mag with his friend Eldon Sellers. Unsurprisingly, the magazine took off despite the fact that the duo were selling copies out of Hefner's kitchen office . We assume having Marilyn Monroe as the cover girl probably didn't hurt.

The 12 Most Iconic 'Playboy' Covers 1 Of 12 December 1953 The first issue of Playboy magazine, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover, was created by Hugh Hefner on the kitchen table of his South Side Chicago apartment. Financed with $600 of Hefner's money and less than $8,000 of raised capital, the magazine appeared on newsstands in December 1953 and sold more than 51,000 copies. Courtesy Playboy 2 Of 12 July 1955 This wasn't the first bikini on a Playboy cover, but it was the first time the swimsuit was modeled in such a prominent fashion. ( The first bikini cover was July 1954 , but the swimsuit was washed ashore—the cover model wasn't wearing it.) The model on the beach towel is Janet Pilgrim, who also appeared as that issue's Playmate of the Month. Courtesy Playboy 3 Of 12 May 1964 Hugh Hefner and his artistic staff never lost focus of the two best cover elements: the model and the Rabbit Head logo.

On the May 1964 cover, Playmate of the Year Donna Michelle, wearing a white leotard, became the brand. "I had this idea of a girl posing in the shape of the Rabbit, but I thought no model would be able to do it," said Art Paul, Playboy's first art director. "I asked Donna and there was no problem. She got into that position with great ease and could still smile." Courtesy Playboy 4 Of 12 June 1965 Some of Playboy's simplest covers appeared in the 1960s. This cover features just a redhead in a head wrap, staring intently above her sunglasses. Cutting off at the nape of her neck, the cover resembles more of a sculptured bust than a traditional men's magazine cover. Playboy definitely took a risk with the cover: There's a 12-page pictorial of Ursula Andress inside. Considering her popularity at the time, it would have been a much safer move to give her the cover. Courtesy Playboy 5 Of 12 July 1969 This issue's cover model is Barbi Benton, Hugh Hefner's girlfriend for the better part of eight years.

She appeared on three more covers in the following two decades: March 1970, May 1972, and December 1985. However, she was never named a Playmate of the Month. Courtesy Playboy 6 Of 12 October 1971 By placing its first African-American model on the cover—the radiant Darine Stern—Playboy was helping to shift the standards of mainstream beauty in the nation's culture. Although the magazine had already featured two black Playmates by this time–March 1965's Jennifer Jackson and October 1969's Jean Bell—nude African-American models were mainly seen in publications produced for and by the black community. This cover became such a groundbreaking image that it was chosen by the American Society of Magazine Editors in 2005 as one of the 40 most important magazine covers of the previous 40 years. Courtesy Playboy 7 Of 12 October 1989 Pamela Anderson holds the record for the most Playboy covers—a total of 13. This issue marks her first cover appearance.

She was also featured on the following covers: February 1991, July 1992, August 1993, November 1994, January 1996, September 1997, June 1998, February 1999, July 2001, May 2004, January 2007, and January 2011. Pam was Playboy's Playmate of the Month in the magazine's February 1990 issue. Courtesy Playboy 8 Of 12 June 1993 Anna Nicole Smith first appeared on Playboy's March 1992 cover. Within months, she was named Miss May 1992 and the Guess jeans spokesmodel. She went on to be named Playboy's 1993 Playmate of the Year (featured on this cover), and appeared on three more Playboy covers: February 1994, February 2001, and May 2007.

Courtesy Playboy 9 Of 12 January 2005 Jenny McCarthy has appeared on a total of six Playboy covers, including this January 2005 issue, where she wears the famous Bunny costume. She was first named Playboy's October 1993 Playmate of the Month and went on to become the magazine's 1994 Playmate of the Year. Her cover appearances include June 1994, July 1996, December 1996, September 1997, January 2005, and July/August 2012.

Courtesy Playboy 10 Of 12 April 2009 In Playboy's 60-year history, the magazine has featured a male on the cover just 10 times: Peter Sellers (April 1964), Burt Reynolds (October 1979), Steve Martin (January 1980), Donald Trump (March 1990), Dan Aykroyd (August 1993), Jerry Seinfeld (October 1993), Leslie Nielsen (February 1996), Gene Simmons (March 1999), Seth Rogen (April 2009), and Bruno Mars (April 2012). Courtesy Playboy 30 of the sexiest celebrities who made it on to the Playboy cover revealed | Daily Mail Online comments If you really did 'read it for the articles' you're in luck - Playboy has announced that it will no longer print pictures of fully naked women. First published in 1953, the American men's magazine became an international hit thanks to its racy spreads of celebrities such as Eva Herzigova, Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra in the buff.

But - due to a major shift in editorial focus - founder Hugh Hefner, 89, has decided to drop the nude shoots from March. Scroll down for video Playboy magazine has said that it will no longer include nude photos of women beginning with its March 2016 issue, 63 years after it launched with Marilyn Monroe on the cover an issue that is now a collectors' item Founder Hugh Hefner poses with a signed copy of the first issue which featured Marilyn Monroe in 2000 Future versions of Playboy will still feature pictures of women in 'provocative poses', but not full nudity and it is not yet known whether it will keep publishing a centrefold. The change in attitude has been blamed on the rise of internet pornography with Playboy Enterprises CEO Scott Flanders telling the Times: 'You're now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it's just passé at this juncture.' Here, FEMAIL charts the most iconic Playboy nude and scantily-clad covers. RELATED ARTICLES Share 1.

DARINE STERN: 1971 American model Darine Stern made history by becoming the first black woman to get a solo feature on the Playboy cover in 1971. Although there was no interview, Darine paved the way for other women of colour - including future centrefold star Jean Bell - to appear in the magazine. In 2009 Playboy recreated the groundbreaking front page with cartoon character Marge Simpson perched on the bunny shaped chair. Darine died in 1994 due to complications of breast cancer. Making history: American model Darine Stern was the first black woman to get a solo feature on the Playboy cover in 1971 2. STEPHANIE SEYMOUR: 1991 Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Stephanie Seymour made her Playboy cover debut in 1991. The American stunner, now 47, decided to leave her bathing suit at home and chose to hide her modesty by strategically placing her arms in front of her chest. Wild child Stephanie, who was dating Guns 'N Roses frontman Axl Rose at the time, looked like butter wouldn't melt thanks to her stripped back make-up and tousled brunette locks.

Where's your bathing suit?: Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Stephanie Seymour posed nude for Playboy, hiding her modesty with strategically placed arms 3. SHARON STONE: 1992 Sharon Stone first posed nude for Playboy in 1990 in a bid to prove to the film industry that she could be sexy. It worked, because two years later she scored the role of bisexual serial killer Catherine Trammel, starring alongside Michael Douglas in Basic Instinct. Reflecting on the Playboy shoot, the 57-year-old said it was a calculated attempt to recast her image as a sex siren. 'Everybody said I wasn't sexy and I couldn't get jobs because of it,' she explained. The American actress was invited back to Playboy in 1992 for the magazine's Christmas shoot and posed starkers save for a fluffy white robe. Sharon Stone says she posed nude for Playboy in a bid to prove to the film industry that she could be 'sexy' 4. TIA CARRERE: 1993 American actress Tia Carrere, now 48, was one of the biggest television stars of the Nineties.

After starring roles in Rising Sun, True Lies and Wayne's World, she was offered countless provocative shoots which she turned down. However, after splitting with husband Elie Samaha in 2000, Tia seemed to have a change of heart and got her kit off the for January 2003 issue of Playboy. TV star turned cover icon: Tia Carrere posed for Playboy in 2003 following a divorce from her husband Elie Samaha in 2000 5. ANNA NICOLA SMITH: 1994 Posing in Playboy turned American TV personality Anna Nicole Smith into a household name and kicked off a mainstream modelling career that saw her starring in ads for Guess. After earning herself the Playmate Of The Year Award in 1993, model Anna channelled Marilyn Monroe for a scantily-clad Valentine's Day shoot in February the following year. The eccentric model ditched her underwear and hid her curves underneath a bright red dressing gown. The mother-of-two died from a drug overdose in February 2007 at the age of 39. Be my valentine: American model Anna Nicole Smith channelled Marilyn Monroe for the February 1994 edition 6.

ELLE MACPHERSON: 1994 With her retro-inspired beehive, heavily-kohled eyes and deep golden tan, Elle Macpherson channelled 1960s heroine Brigitte Bardot while posing on the Playboy cover in 1994. The Australian model - who earned the nickname 'The Body' because of her enviably toned frame - told bosses that she'd only appear naked if they met her demands. The 51-year-old told Daily Telegraph how she took control of the situation: 'OK, you want naked? I'll give you naked - but on my terms.' Elle said that she hired photographer Herb Ritts to take the racy snaps. Diva: Elle Macpherson told Playboy she would only pose nude for them if they met her demands and hired a photographer she was comfortable working with 7. JENNY MCCARTHY: 1994 With her bright blonde hair, model-like physique and girl-next-door charm, it was only time until Jenny McCarthy went from Playmate to international sex symbol.

The 42-year-old gave her fans an eyeful when she decided to pose nude lying face down on the duvet for the June 1994 issue. As well as millions of teenage boys hearts, Chicago-born Jenny also later caught the eye of comedian Jim Carrey who she dated for five years. Her cousin is the Hollywood actress Melissa McCarthy. Girl-next-door: Playmate Jenny McCarthy sent teenage boys' hearts into a flutter with her provocative posing on the June 1994 issue 8. ROBIN GIVENS: 1994 Even though Robin Givens' Playboy cover came out five years following her split from professional boxer Mike Tyson, it still received a mixed reception. The 50-year-old US actress - who was once dubbed 'the most hated woman in America' - appeared to defy her haters and was described by the magazine as delivering a 'knockout pictorial'. Robin can be seen posing topless on the cover save for an ornate black-beaded choker necklace with her arms wrapped around her chest. Knockout: Mike Tyson's ex-girlfriend Robin Givens posed for Playboy's September 1994 edition 9.

DREW BARRYMORE: 1995 American actress Drew Barrymore was just 19 when she posed for Playboy's January 1995 issue. The teenager - who was said to be living a rock 'n roll lifestyle at the time and had struggled with drug addiction - appeared on the cover in one of the brand's iconic bunny girl T-shirts. However, wild child Drew took her clothes off for an inside spread, which saw her ditch a lacy lilac bra and flash her nipples. Teen star: American actress Drew Barrymore was just 19 when she posed on the cover of Playboy magazine 10. CINDY CRAWFORD: 1998 Supermodel Cindy Crawford decided to swap high-fashion designer garments for her birthday suit to pose for Playboy in 1998. The 49-year-old Eighties runway star appeared in the magazine three times in total - also in 1988 and 1996. However, Illinois-born Cindy stopped appearing in the glossy after having her two children for fear of embarrassing her son.

She told People: 'I wouldn’t now just because I have a son who is 14 and I wouldn’t want him to be uncomfortable.' Runway icon: After appearing on the Playboy cover three times, Cindy Crawford turned her back on racy shoots to avoid embarrassing her teenage son 11. CHARLIZE THERON: 1999 Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron left little to the imagination on the cover of Playboy in May 1999. She sported brash eye make-up, over-plucked eyebrows and bright red lipstick. However, the nude photos inside the issue had been taken several years earlier before she became famous. Hollywood starlet Charlize, 40, unsuccessfully sued the magazine for publishing the photos without her consent. Oscar winner: Charlize Theron appeared topless on the cover of Playboy in May 1999 sporting brash eye make-up, over-plucked eyebrows and bright red lipstick 12. NAOMI CAMPBELL: 1999 At the height of her career, London-born supermodel Naomi Campbell stripped off for Playboy and starred in a 14-page pictorial.

Decorated in white Christmas wrap and a fluffy fur robe, the 45-year-old's cover is still one of the brand's best-selling issues. Naomi joined a host of runway icons including Cindy Crawford and Elle Macpherson in appearing in the globally-renowned glossy. 13. KRISTY SWANSON: 2002 American actress Kristy Swanson made fanboys' dreams come true when she posed in the buff in 2002. Kristy, who starred in the 1992 film Buffy The Vampire Slayer just about managed to avoid a nip-slip thanks to the awkward positioning of her elbow. A world away from the cult television programme, the 45-year-old was styled to look like a surfer babe with a light bronze tan, barely-there make-up and natural beach waves. She still slays: Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Kristy Swanson made fanboys' dreams come true when she posed in the buff in 2002 14.

DITA VON TEESE: 2002 Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese lived up to her surname after flaunting her famous hourglass figure and voluptuous bosom on the Christmas issue in 2002. The sexy pin-up icon, famous for her relationship with gothic rocker Marilyn Manson, posed for Playboy several times, but this was her first cover. The 43-year-old was heavily involved in the look of the images and reportedly used her father's old editions of Playboy for inspiration. What a tease: Dita Von Teese, famous for her relationship with Marilyn Manson, posed for the magazine several times 15. CARMEN ELECTRA: 2003 Former Baywatch star Carmen Electra - a favourite of the magazine - sent pulses races with her steamy pose for the 'sex and music issue' in 2003. The 43-year-old hid her bikini-ready body under a bright red electric guitar, styled her brunette hair into a quiff and applied lashings of black liquid eye liner. Also, for their 55th anniversary issue, Playboy honoured the occasion by giving Simon Cowell's ex-girlfriend the coveted spot.

She's electric: Baywatch babe Carmen Electra hides her modesty behind a bright red electric guitar on the April 2003 issue 16. DARYL HANNAH: 2003 Daryl Hannah's career got a revamping in 2003 when she starred in the revenge flick Kill Bill. But the actress's Playboy cover made fans nostalgic for her mermaid days in Splash because of the shoot's beach location and the au natural styling. It's clear Daryl, now 54 and more famous as Neil Young's girlfriend, decided to leave all traces of her mermaid's tail behind though and appeared confident posing stark naked. A Playboy spokesperson said at the time: 'Hannah personally selected the photographer and we think the result is a beautiful, ground-breaking photo essay.' Au natural: A Playboy spokesperson described Daryl Hannah's shoot as a 'beautiful, ground-breaking photo essay' 17. CHARISMA CARPENTER: 2004 Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel star Charisma Carpenter was picked as a Playboy cover girl after making countless 'hottest women in the world' lists.

The 45-year-old actress flaunted her gorgeous looks and trim figure in a 10-page nude spread for the gentleman's magazine in June 2004. Charisma recently shared a naked snap of herself on her Instagram page for her birthday with the caption, 'Yes, my bday suit for my bday' before taking down the photo. What an Angel: American actress Charisma Carpenter posed for Playboy after appearing in countless 'hottest woman in the world' lists 18. EVA HERZIGOVA: 2004 Eva Herzigova made a name for herself in 1994 as the face of the Wonderbra. In the iconic advertisement she wore just a black bra and a smile, accompanied by the words, 'Hello, boys'. Clearly in tune with how to send male hearts aflutter, a decade later the 42-year-old posed on the cover of Playboy under the tagline 'the supermodel is supernaked'. Czech beauty Eva ditched her lacy smalls, choosing instead to support her breasts with her hands in a full frontal pose.

Hello, boys!: Clearly in tune with how to send male hearts aflutter, Eva Herzigova posed on the cover of Playboy under the tagline 'the supermodel is supernaked' 19. PAMELA ANDERSON: 2007 Blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson, 48, has been posing for Playboy for more than three decades. The Canadian-born actress has also been on more covers of the magazine than any other celebrity. The January 2007 cover featured Pamela in black and white wearing a pair of super-high black heels and a pair of pants with an anchor adorned on the front in jewels. The mother-of-two recently told FHM what it was like to party at the Playboy mansion: 'It was all wild, but respectful. The men were elegant, and you wanted to badly get the most charismatic man to notice you. Girls were everywhere, giggling and laughing.' Bombshell: American model Pamela Anderson has been posing for Playboy for more than three decades 20.

TRICIA HELFER: 2007 Geeks the world over went into a frenzy when Battlestar Galactica's cylon Number Six, Tricia Helfer, stripped down to her smalls for Playboy in 2007. Posing with her back to the lens, the 41-year-old turned to give the camera a provocative stare and hitched her pants down to reveals her bottom. The image was accompanied by the tagline: 'Tricia Helfer sheds her cylon suit.' Geek chic: Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer stripped down to her smalls for Playboy in 2007 21. KIM KARDASHIAN: 2007 After her sex tape leaked, Kim Kardashian decided to own her sexuality by taking 'it all off' for the Christmas edition of Playboy. Clearly not afraid to hide anything, the 34-year-old brought a crew to the shoot and filmed it for her reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Kanye West's wife is seen on the cover in a flirty halter-neck body with a navel-grazing neckline and frill-detailing around the hips.

What the rapper - who prefers black, white and beige - would think of the styling is anyone's guess, but he has since proved supportive of his wife showing off her curves, most recently on the cover of Paper magazine. Flirty: After her sex tape leaked, Kim Kardashian decided to own her sexuality by taking 'it all off' for the Christmas edition of Playboy 22. MARGE SIMPSON: 2007 She may have caught the eye of Homer Simpson, but his wife Marge is not the usual Playboy pin-up - not least for her tower of blue hair. Yet the beehived matriarch of America's most loved dysfunctional family is Playboy magazine's November 2009 cover. The mother-of-three, who tastefully concealed her assets behind a signature Playboy Bunny chair, is the first cartoon character ever to front the glossy adult magazine. She joins the ranks of sex symbols like Marilyn Monroe and Cindy Crawford. Playboy also ran a story inside called 'The Devil in Marge Simpson' to celebrate The Simpson's 20th anniversary.

Homer's girl: Marge Simpson, who tastefully conceals her assets behind a signature Playboy Bunny chair, is the first cartoon character ever to front the glossy adult magazine 23. CRISTA FLANAGAN: 2010 American actress Crista Flanagan, who plays switchboard operator Lois Sadler in the hit series Mad Men, disrobed for an eight-page pictorial on the pages of the August 2010 issue of the magazine. Drawing inspiration from her on-screen alter ego, photographers set up a 1960s-inspired shoot, as well as the style, dress, and make-up of the era. Playboy decided to recreate two covers from past issues published in the sixties. The 39-year-old funny girl undressed for replications of the magazine’s April 1969 cover with Sharon Kristie and for their November 1960 cover with Toni Lacey. 'I got there and they had a little area for my wardrobe, and I felt okay when I walked in and saw all the beautiful shoes,' she said of the shoot.

Driving men mad: American actress Crista Flanagan, who plays switchboard operator Lois Sadler in the hit series Mad Men, disrobed for an eight-page pictorial on the pages of the August 2010 issue of the magazine 24. KELLY BROOK: 2010 In order to boost her profile in the US, Brit actress Kelly Brook decided to show off her 34E bosom on the cover of Playboy. The 35-year-old, who was dubbed 'the UK's hottest export', was reportedly paid $500,000 to pose in just a bow tie and black lace knickers. Kelly's agent said at the time: 'This is a huge opportunity for Kelly who is without doubt one of the world’s most beautiful women. Playboy is an iconic publication which is known across the world as a sophisticated title.' Brit girl: In order to boost her profile in the US, Brit actress Kelly Brook decided to show off her 34E bosom on the cover of Playboy 25. LINDSAY LOHAN: 2011 Lindsay Lohan's Playboy cover was so eagerly anticipated that Hugh Hefner decided to bring forward the release date.

He took to Twitter at the time and said: 'Because of the interest and the internet leak, we're releasing the Lindsay Lohan issue early. Lindsay Lohan was the top search name on the internet yesterday. Hot Hot Hot.' The 29-year-old's appearance was a hit and she was applauded for her tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Lindsay can be seen sitting backwards on an iconic Playboy bunny chair with her blonde locks cascading down her shoulders. Hot stuff: Lindsay Lohan's Playboy cover was so eagerly anticipated that Hugh Hefner decided to bring forward the release date 26. LIZZY JAGGER: 2011 Playboy got 'between the sheets' with Mick Jagger's 31-year-old daughter Lizzy for the June 2015 issue. Following in the footsteps of her model mother Jerry Hall, who posed for the glossy in 1985, Lizzy covered her cleavage with her hip-length wavy hair and a see-through polka-dot blouse. Rock 'n' roll: Playboy got 'between the sheets' with Mick Jagger's 31-year-old daughter Lizzy for the June 2015 issue 27.

KATE MOSS: 2014 Croydon-born catwalk star Kate Moss featured in a huge 18-pages of the January/February issue of the racy magazine, as well as the cover, to celebrate her 40th birthday in February 2014. Inside the covers, Kate appeared topless, but partially obscured behind purple fabric, while wearing the pink and black bunny ears and a Eyes Wide Shut style mask. In the striking spread, Kate opened up on her meteoric rise to worldwide fame, admitting she would probably be 'working in a bar in Croydon' if she hadn't been spotted by a model scout at the tender age of 14. She said: 'I was, like, a child when I started. I was 14. If it hadn’t happened, I don’t know what would have happened to me. I would be in Croydon working in a bar, probably. 'I wanted to be at the centre of things. I love working with creative people, and there was none of that where I came from.

As soon as I was given a chance I took it.' Bunny girl: Croydon-born catwalk star Kate Moss featured in a huge 18-pages of the January/February issue of the racy magazine, as well as the cover, to celebrate her 40th birthday in February 2014 28. BIANCA BALTI: 2014 Italian supermodel Bianca Balti had no qualms about getting naked for Playboy. The 31-year-old said of her appearance: 'There is no value in not showing my body. A naked body is a beautiful thing. Even God thinks so. When I’m naked, I feel angelic.' Bianca's 10-page pictorial was shot by fashion photographer Greg Lotus in a remote area of Malibu against a very majestic backdrop of mountains and sea. Her her simple cover however kept things clean by Bianca's hair carefully positioned over her embonpoint. Thing of beauty: Italian supermodel Bianca Balti had no qualms about getting naked for Playboy's July/August 2014 issue 29.

STEPHANIE CORNELIUSSEN: 2014 For their November 2014 Indulgence issue, Playboy recruited American actress Stephanie Corneliussen, who appeared in 2013's Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. The saucy shoot sees the 28-year-old pose in between a naked model's legs while another places her red-tipped hands on her exposed breasts. The only thing Stephanie is wearing, however, is a diamond-encrusted necklace - and lashings of scarlet lipstick. Saucy: For their November 2014 Indulgence issue, Playboy recruited American actress Stephanie Corneliussen 30. RACHEL MORTENSON: 2015 Clearly having a penchant for buxom blondes, Playboy plucked Miami-based model Rachel Mortenson to appear on the special double edition magazine in January/February 2015. Channelling a 1960s sex-siren, Rachel's hair was blow-dried to add volume at the roots and her make-up look was sexy. The starlet, clad only in satin pants, covered her chest with her right arm.

Model Rachel Mortenson appeared on the special double edition magazine in January/February 2015 The biggest scandals in Playboy Magazine history The biggest scandals in Playboy Magazine history View photos Copyright [Playboy Magazine] Playboy is maybe the most controversial magazine ever published, racking up scandal after scandal since Hugh Hefner founded it in 1953. But earlier this year the magazine made perhaps its most controversial decision so far - ditching nude images from its pages and reinventing itself as a lifestyle magazine for men. It was not the brainchild of editor-in-chief Hefner, but he agreed to the move that would change Playboy forever. Now that the magazine doesn’t feature nudity, is it the end of years of controversy for the magazine? The Controversial Covers One of the biggest cover controversies is about a star who didn’t even want to be on the front of the magazine. View photos Copyright [Playboy Magazine] Step forward Jessica Alba. The actress was chosen as the publication’s Sex Star of the Year for their March 2006 issue (above), but didn’t fancy being on the cover, so Playboy used a bikini-clad pic of her from one of her Into the Blue movie promotional posters.

But the actress was not impressed. She released a statement saying Playboy had “violated my personal rights” and “blatantly misled the public” into thinking she had given her consent to appear on the cover. She was so angry she filed a lawsuit against Playboy claiming the publication had done “immeasurable harm” to her reputation. Hefner managed to calm things down when he donated some cash to two charities of her choice, Keep A Child Alive and Until There’s A Cure. In October 1971, Darine Stern became the first African American woman on the cover and it was deemed controversial by some, despite coming eight years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech which called for an end to racism in the US. Another first came in 2012, when news that Bollywood star Sherlyn Chopra was going to be the first Indian woman to appear on the magazine’s cover, and nude inside. It did not go down well in India, where the publication is banned due to the country’s strict modesty insistence.

A more unusual grievance came off the back of the February 2008 cover when feminist comic book fans were up in arms at the sight of Tiffany Fallon appearing body painted as Wonder Woman. Some thought the sight of the heroine in such form would spoil her image for young girls. View photos Copyright [Playboy Magazine] That Jimmy Carter Interview Playboy has also had its fair share of political controversies. Back in 1976, then US Presidential Candidate Jimmy Carter gave an interview to freelance journalist Robert Scheer for the magazine, in which he said he “looked on a lot of women with lust” and had “committed adultery in my heart many times”. But Carter’s honesty didn’t go down so well with US voters. Following the outrage across America, Carter - who had previously pledged to “never lie” - attempted to defend himself by saying his comments were “just part of being a human being”. Despite the faux pas, his comments didn’t affect his bid for office and he became President of the United States a year later. View photos Copyright [Grace/Keystone USA/REX Shutterstock] The Congressman’s Wife Another Playboy political mishap occurred four years later in the April 1981 issue of the magazine.

Rita Jenrette, the then-estranged wife of John Jenrette, a Democrat and regular in the US House of Representatives, appeared nude in the magazine and wrote in an accompanying piece that the pair once had sex on the steps of the US Capitol after an all-night House session. In the article, entitled The Liberation of a Congressional Wife, Rita descriptively claimed that she and John “made love on the marble steps that overlook the monuments”. The piece was particularly bad timing for John as it came a year after he had been convicted of taking a $50,000 bribe - what was known as the Abscam scandal. But Rita’s controversial comments didn’t put Playboy off inviting her back though and she appeared on the cover of the May 1984 issue. Speaking about the revelation afterwards, Rita, who also insisted in the article that she “never looked like a Congressman’s wife”, told the New Yorker: “It was a firestorm - everybody was asking about it.” Tragic Playmates Sadly, Playboy’s history has seen the passing of several former Playmates in tragic circumstances.

One of the most shocking was Dorothy Stratten, a former Playmate of the Month, who was murdered by her estranged husband Paul Snider at the age of 20 in 1980 after she started seeing film director Peter Bogdanovich. He later committed suicide with the same gun he used to kill his one-time lover. More recently, Playboy model Katie May passed away on February 1 after suffering a “catastrophic” stroke aged just 34. View photos Copyright [SNAP/REX Shutterstock] One of the most well-known of all Playboy models, Marilyn Monroe, sadly passed away well before her time from a drug overdose when she was 36. Monroe was known for being the publication’s first Sweetheart of the Month and was the original cover and centrefold star, chosen by Hefner, for the magazine’s first issue in December 1953. Like Monroe, Anna Nicole Smith was another Playboy Playmate-turned movie star who died in her 30s.

Smith shot to fame on the pages of Playboy in 1992 and went on to be honoured with the magazine’s Playmate of the Year award in 1993 before enjoying a movie career until she was found dead from a prescription drug overdose in February 2007. Smith was dubbed the “Jayne Mansfield of the ‘90s” due to her resemblance to the former Playboy Playmate, who also went on to become a Hollywood star before perishing in her 30s - killed in a car crash in 1967 aged just 34. The Tell-All Book Another Playboy model who came close to being added to that list of tragedies is Holly Madison. View photos Copyright [DJDM/WENN.com] The blonde beauty, 36, was one of Hefner’s official girlfriends from 2001 to 2008 before calling time on their relationship and quitting the Playboy Mansion. She left because working with him after their break up felt “awkward”.

In her tell-all book, ‘Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny’, Holly revealed she had contemplated ending her life in a bath in the infamous abode in 2002. She wrote: “Maybe it was the pot and the alcohol, but drowning myself seemed like the logical way to escape the ridiculous life I was leading.” While admitting her family would’ve been “devastated” at her demise, the model insisted she rarely saw them at the time for it to matter. Life In The Mansion Holly is not the only Playboy model to have talked about the strangeness of living in the famous Mansion. Kendra Wilkinson starred alongside Holly and Bridget Marquardt, 42, all three were Hef’s girlfriends at the same time, in reality TV series The Girls Next Door, which documented their lives in the house. In 2009, Kendra, 30, revealed the trio used to receive a $1,000 allowance a week - but were not allowed jobs.

She said: “I hate putting my hand out, but we couldn’t have jobs other than getting appearance fees.” View photos Copyright [Vince Maher / WENN] Former Bunny Izabella St. James also wrote about the allowance in her book, Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion, claiming Hefner “used it as a weapon” at times and wouldn’t want to give the girls the cash if they’d been out of town or “missed one of the official 'going out’ nights”. Despite this, former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Kendra insisted she only used to see Hef around “once a day”, mainly when he was walking to his office. At times she was intimate with the Playboy boss, but insisted in her memoir that she had to be “very drunk or smoke lots of weed” to “survive” having sex with the adult magazine publisher, and claimed the sessions would last around 60 seconds. View photos Copyright [Rachel Worth / WENN] She wrote: “At about the minute mark, I pulled away and it was done. It was like a job. Clock in, clock out.

It’s not like I enjoyed having sex with him.” Despite Kendra’s negative omissions about the Mansion, she has also admitted Hefner was her “best friend”, and made her feel “beautiful” at times in her life. The Cosby Allegations The Mansion was linked to further controversy recently when comedian Bill Cosby - a good friend of Hefner’s - was accused of allegedly molesting a woman called Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion in 1974. A lawsuit was filed in 2014 alleging that Cosby molested Judy, and earlier this month a judge ordered Cosby to give a second deposition. After the lawsuit was filed in 2014, Hefner insisted he would “never” had tolerated such behaviour in the Mansion. View photos Copyright [KPA/Zuma/REX Shutterstock] He said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter: “Bill Cosby has been a good friend for many years and the mere thought of these allegations is truly saddening. "I would never tolerate this kind of behaviour, regardless of who was involved.” Former dancer Chloe Goins, 24, has since alleged that Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion in 2008.

The actor was told in January this year that he wouldn’t be prosecuted in Los Angeles for the alleged incident, but Chloe told Daily Mail Online: “I’ve not given up yet.” Reblog What Playboy knows best about nudity - CNN.com What Playboy knows best about nudity By Peggy Drexler Updated 12:05 PM ET, Sat February 6, 2016 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men That first issue of Playboy featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover. Financed with $600 of Hefner's money and less than $8,000 of raised capital, the magazine appeared on newsstands December 1, 1953, and sold more than 51,000 issues. Hide Caption 1 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men The July 1955 issue was the first time the bikini was modeled prominently on the cover. The model on the beach towel is Janet Pilgrim, who also appeared as the issue's Playmate of the Month.

Hide Caption 2 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men Donna Michelle appears in the shape of Playboy's bunny logo on the May 1964 cover. "I had this idea of a girl posing in the shape of the rabbit, but I thought no model would be able to do it," said Art Paul, Playboy's first art director. "I asked Donna and there was no problem. She got into that position with great ease and could still smile." Hide Caption 3 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men Some of Playboy's simplest covers appeared in the 1960s. This cover, in June 1965, features Hedy Scott in a head wrap, staring intently above her sunglasses. Hide Caption 4 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men The July 1969 cover model was Barbi Benton, Hefner's girlfriend for the better part of eight years. She would appear on three more covers: March 1970, May 1972 and December 1985.

Hide Caption 5 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men In October 1971, Darine Stern was the first African-American model to appear on a Playboy cover. By putting Stern on the cover, Playboy helped shift the nation's standards of mainstream beauty. Although the magazine had already featured two black Playmates by this time -- Jennifer Jackson (March 1965) and Jean Bell (October 1969) -- nude African-American models were mainly seen in publications produced for and by the black community. Hide Caption 6 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men Pamela Anderson holds the record for the most Playboy covers. This October 1989 issue was the first of 13 cover appearances. Hide Caption 7 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men Anna Nicole Smith is named Playmate of the Year on the June 1993 cover. Smith first appeared on Playboy's March 1992 cover. Within months, she was named Miss May 1992 and a spokeswoman for Guess jeans.

Hide Caption 8 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men Jenny McCarthy has appeared on six Playboy covers, including this January 2005 issue where she is wearing a bunny costume. Hide Caption 9 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men Seth Rogan appears on the cover in April 2009. In Playboy's 60-year history, the magazine has featured a man on the cover 10 times. The first was Peter Sellers in April 1964. Other men on the cover: Burt Reynolds, Steve Martin, Donald Trump, Dan Aykroyd, Jerry Seinfeld, Leslie Nielsen, Gene Simmons and Bruno Mars. Hide Caption 10 of 12 Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men Playboy has recently returned to running the more art-inspired concept covers that it was known for in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. This November 2013 "Lips" cover was recently awarded "Cover of the Day" by the Society of Professional Designers. Hide Caption Photos: Playboy: Entertainment for men The cover of Playboy magazine's 60th anniversary issue features supermodel Kate Moss. Hide Caption

Question: Who appeared on the first cover of "Playboy" magazine?
Answer: Marilyn MONROE